Quantitative Genomics Training at Columbia University 2025

Genome-wide association studies have discovered tens of thousands of loci significantly associated with complex traits. However, the majority of these loci are located outside of protein-coding regions making it difficult to determine the causal gene or the mechanism through which the phenotype is affected. With whole-genome and RNA sequencing becoming increasingly accessible and feasible to conduct large-scale analyses, we can use different quantitative genomics methods to address these challenges in human health studies.

This two-day intensive workshop will provide a rigorous introduction to several different techniques to analyze whole-genome sequencing and transcriptome data. Led by a team of experts in statistical genomics and bioinformatics, who have developed their own methods to analyze such data, the training will integrate seminar lectures with hands-on computer lab sessions to put concepts into practice. The training will focus on reviewing existing approaches based on predicted expression association with traits, colocalization of causal variants, and Mendelian Randomization, including discussion on how they relate to each other, and their advantages and limitations. Emphasis will also be given to reviewing integrative sequence-based association studies for whole-genome sequencing data, and functional annotation of variants in noncoding regions of the genome.

Table of Content

• Summary
• Benefits
• Requirments
• Interview Process
• Application Deadline
• How To Apply

Summary

• Application DeadlineJuly 8, 2025
• Study LevelTraining
• SponsorColumbia University
• City to studyNew York

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Benefits

By the end of the workshop, participants will be familiar with the following topics:

• Sequence-based association tests (Burden, SKAT and extensions)
• Functional genomic annotations
• Analysis of genomic variants in human diseases
• Transcriptome wide association tests (PrediXcan, MetaXcan, and extensions)
• Mendelian Randomization techniques
• Colocalization techniques

Requirements

Investigators at all career stages are welcome to attend, and we particularly encourage trainees and early-stage investigators to participate. There are three requirements to attend this workshop:

1. Each participant must have an introductory background in statistics and genetics, and/or in the statistical analysis of genetic data.
2. Experience using R is recommended to get the most out of lab sessions.
3. Each participant should have a laptop with R/RStudio downloaded and installed prior to the first day of training. All lab sessions will be done using Posit Cloud (formerly RStudio Cloud). 

Interview Dates and Process

Summer 2025: The Quantitative Genomics Training is a livestream, remote training that takes place over live, online video on July 7-8, 2025 from 10am EDT - ~5pm EDT. Please note this training is not a self-paced, pre-recorded online training. 

Application Deadline

How To Apply

For more detatils visit Columbia University Training Webpage